--- title: "What People Eat on Halloween Around the World: Unusual Dishes and Traditions" description: "A gastronomic guide to Halloween: from Irish prophecy bread and British soul cakes to American treats and modern traditions in Ukraine." date: 2026-10-31T08:14:55.855Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/what-people-eat-on-halloween-around-the-world tags: [halloween, food, traditions, world, ukraine, culture] author: "Darya Fomina" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # What People Eat on Halloween Around the World: Unusual Dishes and Traditions ![A variety of ghost, pumpkin, and bat-shaped cookies on a plate next to Halloween pumpkins](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/31/chto-edyat-na-khellouin-v-raznykh-stranakh-mira/chto-edyat-na-khellouin-v-raznykh-stranakh-mira-1.webp) ## Key Points - Irish barmbrack bread contains symbolic objects for fortune-telling. - Great Britain baked soul cakes for those praying for the dead. - The US popularized caramel apples and candy corn sweets. - Italy prepares ossa dei morti bone-shaped cookies for the holiday. - Halloween has become a popular urban holiday in Ukraine with themed menus. Halloween has long ceased to be exclusively an American holiday of costumes and pumpkins. In various corners of the globe, this autumn season is accompanied by unique gastronomic traditions rooted in ancient beliefs and rituals. From Irish bread with hidden prophecies to Italian biscuit shaped like bones, the festive table reflects the cultural diversity and history of each nation. ### Gastronomic Roots of Halloween in Ireland and Great Britain The origins of Halloween are inextricably linked to Ireland and the Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest. The main culinary symbol here is traditionally considered to be barmbrack, a sweet bread with raisins and dried fruit, inside of which symbolic objects are hidden. A ring promises a marriage, a coin foretells wealth, and a pea symbolizes loneliness. In Great Britain, the tradition of soul cakes emerged—small spiced pastries baked for those who went from house to house praying for the deceased. This ancient custom is considered a direct predecessor of modern trick-or-treating. ### American Traditions: Caramel Apples and Candy Corn In the United States, Halloween has acquired a large-scale commercial and entertaining character, forming its own set of seasonal treats. The leading position here is held by the trick-or-treating tradition, where children in costumes collect sweets from neighboring houses. Caramel apples on a stick, pumpkin seeds, sweet popcorn, and famous candy corn shaped like corn kernels are especially popular. At the same time, the traditional pumpkin pie in the US is historically more closely associated with Thanksgiving than with All Saints' Day. ### European Customs and Autumn Delicacies In continental European countries, this period is also marked by deep traditions of honoring the deceased and harvesting. In Italy, at the end of October, it is customary to cook ossa dei morti cookies, which translates as "bones of the dead," baked from almonds, flour, and spices. In Austria, a lush braided bread called Allerheiligenstriezel is baked for All Saints' Day, and in the alpine regions, the tradition of carving ominous faces on turnips instead of pumpkins is still alive. These regional features show how ancient pagan and Christian motifs intertwined into a single gastronomic culture. ### How Halloween Is Celebrated in Ukraine Today In Ukraine, Halloween does not have deep historical roots, but over the past decades, it has firmly entered the calendar of autumn urban events. The holiday is celebrated mainly in an entertainment format: costume parties are held, interiors are decorated with pumpkins, and children's master classes are organized. In capital and regional cafes at the end of October, special seasonal menus appear featuring ghost desserts, spiced cookies, pumpkin cream soups, and warming drinks. For Ukrainians, this is primarily an opportunity to show creativity, decorate the home, and spend time with friends. ### The Significance of Festive Traditions and Their Impact on Modernity The evolution of Halloween demonstrates how local rituals of nature transformation and ancestor remembrance turned into a global cultural phenomenon. Today, the gastronomic component of the holiday performs a unifying function, erasing boundaries between generations and countries. Whether it is Irish bread divination or modern urban festivals in Ukraine, autumn treats continue to carry an element of play, creativity, and historical continuity. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Что едят на Хеллоуин в разных странах мира: необычные блюда и традиции](https://wave.rbc.ua/ukr/taste/shcho-yidyat-gelovin-riznih-krayinah-svitu-1793367864.html) - The primary source article from WAVE on RBC-Ukraine describes gastronomic traditions and Halloween dishes around the world. ## FAQ ### What is barmbrack and where is it made? Barmbrack is a traditional Irish sweet bread with raisins, inside of which small objects are hidden to predict the future. ### What sweets are popular for Halloween in the US? Caramel apples on a stick, candy corn, pumpkin seeds, and sweet popcorn are popular in the US. ### How is Halloween celebrated in modern Ukraine? In Ukraine, the holiday is celebrated with costume parties, pumpkin decor, and special seasonal menus in restaurants and cafes.